#IntrovertedAtWork #WorkplaceCulture #IntrovertStruggles #IntrovertInTech #SocialAnxiety #ColleagueRelations
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## Understanding Introversion in the Workplace
As an introverted backend engineer, you may have faced challenges in navigating the social dynamics of your workplace. It’s important to understand that introversion is not a flaw, but rather a personality trait that comes with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here are some tips for dealing with the challenges you’re facing:
### Embracing Your Introversion
Embrace your introverted nature and recognize the value that it brings to your work. Introverts often possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which are highly valuable in a tech-focused role like yours.
### Communicating Your Needs
It’s important to communicate your needs to your manager and colleagues. Let them know that while you may not be as outgoing as some of your peers, you are fully committed to delivering high-quality work and contributing to team projects.
### Finding a Balance
Striking a balance between your introverted tendencies and the social expectations of the workplace can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Look for ways to participate in team activities that align with your comfort level, such as smaller group outings or virtual gatherings.
## Advocating for Yourself
In your situation, it’s crucial to advocate for yourself and address the concerns that have been raised by your manager. Here are some steps you can take:
### Seeking Support
Consider seeking support from HR or other higher-ups in the company. Your mental health and well-being should be a top priority, and it’s important to communicate the impact that the feedback from your manager has had on your anxiety and overall job satisfaction.
### Requesting Reasonable Accommodations
If social events and after-work gatherings are causing you distress, consider speaking to your manager about reasonable accommodations that can be made to support your well-being. This may include alternative ways of contributing to team bonding activities or finding ways to connect with colleagues that better suit your comfort level.
### Exploring Internal Opportunities
If a team change has been refused, consider exploring other internal opportunities within the company that may be a better fit for your introverted nature. Highlight your technical skills and the value you bring to the company, and express your willingness to continue contributing in a role that aligns with your strengths.
## Exploring External Opportunities
While navigating the challenges at your current workplace, it’s also important to keep an eye out for external opportunities that may align better with your needs and values. Here are some steps to consider:
### Networking and Professional Development
Invest time in networking within the tech community in Spain and explore professional development opportunities. This can help you connect with companies that value technical expertise and may be open to sponsoring your visa.
### Researching Visa Sponsorship Options
Look into companies that are known for sponsoring visas for international employees. Research their organizational culture and values to identify whether they may be a better fit for you.
### Assessing Long-Term Goals
Reflect on your long-term career goals and the type of work environment that would best support your success and well-being. It’s essential to seek out opportunities that align with your professional aspirations and personal needs.
In conclusion, navigating the challenges of being an introverted backend engineer in a demanding workplace culture can be tough, but it’s not impossible. By advocating for yourself, exploring internal and external opportunities, and embracing your introverted nature, you can find a path forward that supports both your career and your well-being. Remember, your introversion is not a limitation, but rather a valuable aspect of your identity that can contribute positively to your work and the teams you’re a part of.
It sounds like you have three options:
1. Start looking for a new job that can sponsor your visa. Bonus points if it’s one that looks like it’ll be a better culture fit you.
2. Suck it up and pretend to be an extrovert. Go to the social events. Do the hybrid work thing the same way everyone else does. Smile. Get interested in people.
3. Both at the same time, and see which one works out.
The reality of working with other people is that fitting with company culture matters just as much as being a technical skills fit.
Well is it true? Are you rarely present at lunches? Humans are social animals. Even if you aren’t, I’d make an effort to join lunches, at least for the time being.
While your manager sounds like a giant asshole, most of corporate culture is just a giant stage where you just have to perform and fit to the environment.Tread carefully, you’re basically somewhat already in a PIP situation, and job market is suck at the moment. Sometimes you’ll cultivate lasting friendship with coworker but if not that’s fine too and it’s super exhausting i feel you because im on the spectrum. Start being “friendlier” but search other places too in the meantime.
– start going to team lunches once in a while, just to show your face make some friendly banter then you can dip out
– if the person is somewhat the type of needing those friendly convos rather than be directly asking straight to work ask how’s their weekend, remember the little tid bits about them, if they have kids / pets compliment them. Remember the little tidbits of them
It looks like your company needs to reduce their workforce and they tasked your new manager to apply this in his team. To be fair, pressuring you because you are introvert is very toxic and looks more like moral harassment than normal feedback.
When « things are fine » in a company, they will give you feedback that you should do more social stuff, yes, but they will never suggest you to leave the company, if your work performance is good.
And what’s important also to know is that, if you as a manager are tasked to reduce your team headcount, it’s always easier to target the least sociable guy because you won’t disturb the team social structure by letting him go.
I’m so sorry, I am very similar to this, also really struggling with the social aspect of work.
I’m wondering if a doctor’s note or diagnosis might help (but could also hinder since your boss is not understanding). I don’t know the law in Spain, but that behavior would fall into discrimination for medical reasons. Have you looked into Autism? That’s something I’m currently exploring for myself.
Either way, start looking for new work in the background. Especially if it’s hard to get a sponsorship job, it’s best to start looking early.
Regardless of the questionable behavior of your managers and I want to stress that I am no expert about this, but from my understanding having panic attacks has nothing to do with being introverted but rather sound like social phobia. Do you get therapy?
Then THEY SHOULD TRAIN U! Common sense.
The longer we live…the more Loser
managers and their “jobs” become🙄
That place doesn’t sound like the place for you. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being introverted – it’s just a personality trait as is extroversion. The managers sound like they just want one personality trait though.
Ugh! I’m sorry you’re going through this.
I wonder if you can reach out to your old manager for advice on next steps. It sounds like that’s a good professional relationship to keep.
Typical corporate BS. If you’re getting the job done, then that’s all that matters. Tell your mnaager it’s not his business that he needs to worry so much and he’ll probably eventually get let go.
This is what I would do:
– Do not leave without another job offer
– Make sure your work is exceptional, so they cannot point to performance issues
– Start taking part in the social events. You do not have to like it and you do not have to go to all, but make a change and participate more.
When you find a good fit with a different company, you can leave that mess behind. I’m also an introvert and struggle with things you wrote, but we also need some kind of adjustments to other people’s expectations. This is basically everywhere, but hopefully there is a company out there where you fit better than the current one.